Daimler gets onboard self-flying electric cab

German carmaker Daimler is to co-fund an autonomous electric flying taxi project launched by aviation start-up Volocopter. Investors have already pumped €25 million ($30 million) into the enterprise.

Volocopter is working on a five-seat vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) electric vehicle aimed at the taxi market. The firm claims it is going to demonstrate the self-flying vehicle in the fourth quarter this year.

The model named Volocopter 2X is a fully electric VTOL vehicle with 18 quiet rotors and a maximum airspeed of 100 kilometers per hour. It has an average flight time of 27 minutes and has nine independent lithium-ion battery pack systems, according to the firm.